More training opportunities in masonry conservation are to be offered in Scotland thanks to additional funding announced by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). In addition to the 14 year long and 50 short term training opportunities that will be available through the bursary programme, Historic Scotland is also providing training grants in other conservation skills of up to Â£2,000. Culture Minister Michael Russell said: “It is especially important that at a time like this, support is given to ensure training continues. Scotland has been a world leader in design, engineering and traditional skills for generations and these grants and bursaries will give people the opportunity to learn the skills to maintain and conserve our outstanding architectural landscape.”

A lively and informative new website has been launched to let visitors know about everything that’s going on at Stirling Castle. The castle is among the best historic attractions in Scotland and right now there are a series of exciting projects underway to make it even better. The website will keep people up to date with the latest developments in the Â£12 million Stirling Castle Palace Project, which is returning the royal palace to how it may have looked in the mid-16th century. It is also full of historical information about the castle, its past and its place in Scottish history.

The work of a World Famous Scottish Firm is being revealed today (Monday) with a new book charting the progress of the Walter MacFarlane and Co. Saracen Foundry iron foundry in Glasgow. Launching the reprint of the 19th Century foundry’s incredible designs at Glasgow’s Trades Hall, Culture Minister Michael Russell said: “At its peak around 1895 this firm and some others like it gave Scotland the reputation as the leading architectural ironfounders of the world - ironwork made in Scotland was exported across the globe - from fountains to entire railway stations. Whilst many know of our engineering prowess, few are aware of the importance of this industry''.

A squad of five hand-carved soldiers and fragments of two tiny wooden horses have been discovered during the major refurbishment work in the royal palace at Stirling Castle, due to re-open in 2011. Just 4.5cm high, the soldiers are dressed in red jackets and busbies, similar to those worn by some units of the British Army in the 19th century. A plasterer discovered them concealed beneath the floor on the first floor of the palace in an area which was used by the army for several centuries. Initial examination suggests that they could date from around 1830 to 1850, possibly later, and may have been children’s toys, or used by adults for gaming.

Design A Bag Or Build Your Own Spinning Machine At Stanley Mills: Visitor Centre To Stay Open Throughout The Winter

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There are two great days of family fun lined up at Stanley Mills especially for the October school holidays. At the same time Historic Scotland has announced that its visitor centre at the former cotton mill complex by the Tay is to stay open throughout the winter.